Supported development of cell-based therapies to promote functional recovery in a chronic spinal cord​ ​injury​ ​model. Established several clinically relevant autologous neonatal and adult stem cell-based therapies and tested them in combination with pharmacological interventions in a rat contusion-based​ ​spinal​ ​cord​ ​injury​ ​model. Developed and utilized in vitro explant and cell-based assays, testing compatibility of potential drug​ ​and​ ​cellular​ ​therapeutic​ ​combinations. Evaluated treatment paradigms for changes in functional outcome (locomotor function),cellular fate, and tissue architecture, and for adverse effects such as increased cell death and inflammation. Developed treatment paradigms for reducing glial scar and for effective cell transplantation​ ​and​ ​demonstrated​ ​positive​ ​effects​ ​in​ ​tissue​ ​remodeling​ ​towards​ ​functional​ ​gains. Wrote monthly newsletters and articles which summarized research center findings.

Post-Doctoral​ ​Fellow, Laboratory​ ​of​ ​Michael​ ​M.​ ​Tamkun,​ ​PhD,​ ​Department​ ​of​ ​Biomedical​ ​Sciences,
Colorado State UniversityDiscovered and characterized the targeting of Kv2.1 to the axon initial segment of hippocampal neurons. Recognized as one of few fellows selected as a recipient of support from a NIH Neuroscience Training​ ​Grant.